The first batch of New Zealand's Indian Premier League contingent, including players Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham, reached Auckland on a charter flight on Saturday night after the series was abruptly suspended, NZ Herald reported.
Boult and Neesham were joined by their Mumbai Indians teammate Adam Milne plus Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) duo of Finn Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn. The group arrived in Auckland via Tokyo.
International cricketers who were part of the IPL have been scramlbing to leave Covid-ravaged India, which is dealing with world record cases of the virus, after the lucrative Twenty20 competition was called off on Tuesday.
RCB's Director of Cricket Operation Mike Hesson was also part of the group along with James Pamment and Shane Bond, who have coaching and management roles in the IPL.
A second flight carrying bowler Lockie Ferguson, coaches Brendon McCullum, Stephen Fleming and Kyle Mills, commentators Simon Doull and Scott Styris and umpire Chris Gaffaney will arrive later on Sunday, the NZ Herald added.
New Zealand Cricket said on Saturday batsman Tim Seifert will remain in India after testing positive for Covid-19 but skipper Kane Williamson and four others have been moved to the Maldives pending their departure for England ahead of their series there and next month's World Test Championship final against India.
